Top California officials urged the federal government on Friday to preserve the nation’s clean car standards rather than weakening them.
In August, the Trump Administration proposed halting future mile-per-gallon goals for cars and trucks, saying they are too expensive for automakers.
Democratic Gov. Jerry Brown said at a press conference overlooking Interstate 5 in Sacramento that halting the standards is short-sighted and harmful.
“This Trump Administration attack on innovative vehicle technology jeopardizes the health of millions and will cost billions at the pump,” Brown said. “Foolishly, it mandates gas guzzlers instead of clean, and zero-emission vehicles.”
California and the Obama administration agreed to national standards requiring the fleet of new automobiles to get 36 miles per gallon by 2025. That's 10 miles per gallon higher than the current requirement.
The Trump administration has proposed freezing the standards starting in 2021. Administration officials say it would lower vehicle prices and get safer cars on the road.
California is part of a coalition of 21 states that filed formal comments asking the Trump administration to end its proposal.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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